Manual trans fluid

[2000LS6]

Have any of you guys tried anything other than Mercon ATF in you manual trans. Results?

Have heard the use of gear oil in other transmissions results in smoother shifting once the transmission warms up.

tried searching but the search feature is poor

 

[pragmatic]

The fluid should be changed every 60,000 miles.

I put in Pennzoil Sychromesh Fluid (also carried by GM and Quaker State). This is a synthetic oil designed for manual transmissions. It is slightly more viscous than ATF (about equal to 30 weight motor oil). It was developed to help GM (Getrag) manuals used in the Fiero live long enough to get beyond the warranty period. It is a favorite of Mustang owners with T5s who wish to get smother shifts..

I put it in at ~65,000 miles. I now have 135,000 and still shifting smoothly. I plan on changing it again before the winter.

 

[craigh]

I have been changing mine with Synthetic ATF, but I will look for the Pennzoil Fluid. It might just help.

I have been changing my fluid about every 15,000 miles as I am just trying to prevent problems. It only takes about a quart, so the cost is not an issue. I figure by changing it more often I am just buying insurance.

 

[gcwimmer]

OEM Mercon V ATF is synthetic.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

I have been changing my fluid about every 15,000 miles as I am just trying to prevent problems. It only takes about a quart, so the cost is not an issue.

If you are only swapping out one quart, you are no where near a "fluid change" since the whole thing takes something like 15 quarts.

 

[Mechanicboy]

If you are only swapping out one quart, you are no where near a "fluid change" since the whole thing takes something like 15 quarts.

MANUAL transmission only take a little more then a quart to top them off. I used Mercon V which is fully synthetic. The original mercon wasn't synthetic but ford put out a TSB saying that everything calling for mercon should now use Mercon V

 

[2000LS6]

will try snychromesh. thanks for the suggestion.

 

[SteveSC]

Any news on this transmission fluid thread? I am in need of a change and I am looking for suggestions on what fluid to put in? Mobil 1 synthetic ATF, Mercon 5, Penzoil synchromesh, others?

 

[thenextdon13]

SteveSC-
I first changed with Mercon and found the shifting clunkly. Then i PM'd pragmatic based on another thread, who said he used pennzoil sycnromesh, almost 100k miles ago.

I looked at similar products and ended up with a different (but simlar) product. It shifts much better than the mercon V did.

 

[LSinYourLS]

OEM Mercon V ATF is synthetic.

No, it's not, sorry! Regular Ford Mercon 5 is not synthetic; however, Ford does make a synthetic BLEND Mercon 5, which is called for in the Mustang G1 manual trans, and the F/E series trucks and vans with the TR3650 and ZFS-47 transmission.

At this time Ford does not make a FULL synthetic Mercon 5, but you can readily buy it aftermarket.

 

[pragmatic]

No, it's not, sorry! Regular Ford Mercon 5 is not synthetic; however, Ford does make a synthetic BLEND Mercon 5, which is called for in the Mustang G1 manual trans, and the F/E series trucks and vans with the TR3650 and ZFS-47 transmission.

At this time Ford does not make a FULL synthetic Mercon 5, but you can readily buy it aftermarket.

I'm no oil expert but I think it depends how you define synthetics. If the Mercon V is made with Group III high viscosity index base stocks (which from the Motorcraft web site seems likely) then many would call (and based on FTC regulations they can) the oil a full synthetic, though it seems Motorcraft does not make that leap..

 

[joegr]

I'm no oil expert but I think it depends how you define synthetics. If the Mercon V is made with Group III high viscosity index base stocks (which from the Motorcraft web site seems likely) then many would call (and based on FTC regulations they can) the oil a full synthetic, though it seems Motorcraft does not make that leap..

No, but Mobil 1 does.

 

[LS4me]

No, but Mobil 1 does.

Castrol started the re-defining synthetic game...... I still trust Mobil1.

 

[joegr]

If you purify it enough, it doesn't matter where the base stock comes from.

 

[pragmatic]

Castrol started the re-defining synthetic game...... I still trust Mobil1.

Yes Castrol started the re-defining but Mobil-1 will no longer state what their base stock is (for marketing reasons). It's likely Group III and not PAO anymore or it may depend on which Mobil-1 you buy. Having said that I still use Mobil-1 in the cars (Pennzoil in the transmission) and generic synthetics in the lawn, snow and garden equipment.

 

[lsjams]

I have tried Royal Purple "Synchromax" in my manual at 89000 miles. It is a synthetic replacement for Manuals calling for AutoTrans fluid. I replaced the factory Mercon with Synchromax and I am THRILLED with the results. Shift mechanisms move much smoother and there is a significant reduction in second and third gear whine. I couldn't locate it at my local parts stores, so I had to source from ebay. Needless to say, I am going to buy a couple more bottles for the next fluid change. It takes just over one quart to do a full refill.